Come and discover the vampire of our winner Kiara!
Manga Drawing Competition at the Balexert Street Art Festival
A festival organised by PapaJosette
This year's Balexert Street Art Festival, organised by PapaJosette, was an opportunity for many young people to give free rein to their creativity. Known for offering inspiring family activities, this year's festival attracted enthusiasts of all ages with a rich programme of workshops and shows. But one of the most eagerly-awaited moments was undoubtedly the manga drawing competition, an initiative designed to encourage young artists to express their talent and personality in a stimulating and caring environment inspired by Japan and cosplay.
The concept of the competition, both simple and original, immediately appealed to the young creatives. Each participant had to create a manga portrait of their favourite Japanese character or series, adding a unique element: graffiti lettering for the name of the chosen character or universe. This challenge, combining two popular and visually captivating styles, gave the youngsters a fantastic opportunity to stand out from the crowd and showcase their mastery of the graphic arts. There was no need to register to take part, allowing young visitors to jump straight into the competition.
The competition attracted 20 enthusiastic participants, each with a unique vision and personal approach to the theme. In a convivial atmosphere, the young artists sat down with their pencils and ideas to create works reflecting their characters.
Kiara, up-and-coming artist and winner of the Manga Drawing Competition with her Portrait of a Vampire
As part of the manga drawing competition organised during the festival, Kiara impressed the jury with her unique talent. Her work, a vampire with a striking style, caught the eye thanks to the meticulous details and bold artistic choices that reflect her interest in the world of nocturnal creatures. Her portrait captured the essence of the manga while adding a touch of originality that stood out from the other entries.
The work of Kiara, who perhaps already sees herself as a mangaka, was also marked by her innovative approach to graffiti lettering. By adding the name of her character in stylised letters, she combined two art forms: the graphic universe of manga and the urban energy of graffiti. This bold blend of styles underlined her creativity and mastery of drawing techniques, making her work a stand-out creation that perfectly embodies the spirit of this competition within the festival.
For her victory, Kiara received a prize that opens up new prospects for her artistic career: a voucher for a course offered by the Apolline school. This opportunity will enable her to perfect her style and explore new techniques. Thanks to this award, Kiara will be able to enhance her skills and pursue her dream of becoming an accomplished manga artist.
Remarkable Japanese-inspired drawings that stand out from the crowd
Some of the entries in the manga drawing competition were particularly eye-catching. The young artists were inventive, exploring a variety of themes and captivating graphic techniques. The portraits presented were varied, ranging from iconic characters to original creations, and each work was enhanced by customised graffiti lettering, adding a ‘grafik’ effect. These elements enabled the participants to bring to life drawings that reflected both their passion for manga and their artistic flair. You'll find four more below: Zorro drawn by Rafa, Naruto represented by Ariana, Yoko interpreted by Iris and Gojo depicted by Amir.
Among the four drawings that stood out were a vibrant portrait inspired by a street art scene and a dynamic character capturing the essence of manga culture. These works, which combine a strong graphic style with bold colours, are a testament to the talent and originality of the young participants. Their creations captivated the public, showing how the world of manga can blend harmoniously with the energy and freedom of graffiti lettering.
This drawing competition revealed some promising talents, and the works on display were a hit with visitors. By promoting creativity and providing a space for young artists to express themselves, the festival is helping to promote a creative environment in which they can express themselves.
Encouraging Creativity: See you at the next edition
The Balexert Street Art Festival has established itself as a creative space where art meets self-expression, offering young people a platform to develop their passion. With competitions such as the manga drawing competition, the organisers actively support young talent by inviting them to explore their potential in an open and inspiring environment. This kind of accessible and rewarding initiative makes the festival a great place to nurture curiosity and creativity in children and teenagers.
The success of this year's festival only strengthens PapaJosette's determination to continue organising events that encourage young people to get involved in the world of art. Whether through drawing or other forms of expression, each activity helps to nurture an interest in urban and artistic culture, and to strengthen the links between young people and the artistic world. In this way, the festival creates an environment conducive to personal and artistic development, fostering the emergence of future talent.
Visitors can already look forward to the next edition of the Street Art festival at Balexert, where new creative activities will be on offer to delight young and old alike. In the meantime, this festival continues to bring young people together around stimulating projects and to encourage a truly local art scene, which is essential for the future of urban art. Don't miss this opportunity to discover new talent and celebrate the future of urban art.
Perhaps you'd like to learn how to draw your favorite manga characters? If so, there's nothing better than taking a comic/manga drawing course to learn how to draw them and share your interests. Apolline offers courses in Geneva, Morges, Lausanne, Montreux, Sion, Yverdon, Neuchâtel and Fribourg. And to deepen your knowledge even more intensely, you can take part in the comic/manga drawing vacation camps held throughout French-speaking Switzerland during the school vacations!
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